The Life Flight Trust has been rewarded for
its outstanding work in communities around New Zealand by a Westmount School fundraising
campaign.

The school in Johnsonville, with a roll of
only 81 students, raised $6322.19 for the trust through various fundraising
events, local business contributions, donations and a Givealittle page.

School prefect Hadleigh Witty (17) said
they looked at several charities before deciding on Life Flight because of its
impressive reach, not only in Wellington but all around NZ. “Life Flight has
touched so many people in its many years, carrying out both its essential air
ambulance service and its life-saving rescue helicopter.”

With an initial goal of $5000, the students
exceeded their own expectations of the project.

Donations from people around the Wellington
and Lower Hutt areas were gathered to get the wider community involved and this
had contributed almost $2,000.

“We were hoping that if
our success was shared through the community, it might inspire others to help
out this amazing charity, or indeed, any organisation dedicated to helping
those in need,” Witty said.

Life Flight partnerships and development
manager Sherry Herrick said it was thrilled when Westmount School got in touch.
“We were impressed with the initiative and felt touched that we were picked for
the work we do.”

Every dollar raised would help Life Flight
continue flying - and people in the community get to the best possible medical
care, she said.

Herrick said it may have been chosen
because there was a chance its service had touched students and staff directly
or indirectly over the years. “Life Flight has helped more than 26,000 people
since we began. It’s nice that they have recognised the positive impact we have
on their community.”